'Honestly, it feels strange to say I've gained some kind of bond at the cost of a lifespan reduction I can barely sense.'

The idea of going from one hundred years old to ninety-five felt like a significant drop, yet at the same time, there was a sense that it wasn't a big deal.

On top of that, she said if he transcend humanity and extend my lifespan, the penalty would disappear, so Luca's mind was leaning toward not having to worry about it at all.

'A promise with Luca Traverse is a promise, but since I've already become a character in a novel, shouldn't I aim for Grandmaster or even higher?'

Anyway, to surpass Wylde Traverse, the most powerful character in the original work, Luca would have to transcend humanity. That's why he didn't consider the immediate loss of lifespan to be a major problem.

'I might not even live to that age if things go wrong.'

Without the power of the skybird, it's questionable whether Luca could even make it past twenty. Luca Traverse's destined future was a terrible one.

As he was lying in bed, lost in thought, Whistle quietly approached Luca.

"Master, is there anything you're curious about? About my power or how to get stronger, that sort of thing."

"Hm? Hmm... Now that you mention it..."

I did have something I'd originally wanted to ask.

"When we synced, I didn't really feel any aftereffects. Did you do something to help with that?"

"Ah, no, that's not it. Normally, after synchronizing, the power of the sky that has built up in your body goes wild and affects you negatively. But at that time, you endured the pain and used up all the residual sky power in your body, while also achieving some mental growth. Because of that, the only side-effect was just exhaustion."

"Huh... I guess I was lucky."

At Luca's remark of amazement, Whistle shook his beak slightly.

"And I think your body is sturdier than I expected. Even if the aftereffect was mild, I thought you'd be unconscious for two or three days, but you woke up the next day."

"You saw me wake up?"

"No matter how pressed for time the great me is, there's no way I'd absorb the devil's power without even checking on my master's condition after waking up."

Whistle said this, then fell silent for a moment before turning his head.

"From now on, the great I won't act rashly. Even if the great I is to gain the power of a devil again, if we're not sufficiently prepared, I won't absorb it."

"That's a relief."

"I'm already pushing myself too hard, so I'll go now. Take care of yourself."

With that, Whistle left. The original plan had been to explain more to Luca about how to get stronger, but upon reconsideration, Whistle felt he shouldn't push him.

'My master is still young. There's nothing to gain from rushing, so I shouldn't push him to overdo things.'

As Whistle disappeared into the moonlight, Luca pouted.

"What a self-indulgent pet."

There was still more he wanted to ask.

'Well, I've got plenty of time, anyway.'

Thinking this, Luca closed his eyes. Since he was full and just the right amount of tired, he felt like he would fall asleep quickly.

'... What should I say to Pasmo?'

Suddenly, the thought made his mind complicated. Luca tossed and turned with worry and only managed to fall asleep when the night had grown extremely late.

* * *

"Luca! Are you alright?"

Ottbo, who had come the next morning, entered the bedroom where Luca was with Bella's guidance. Upon finding Luca on the bed with a sullen expression, he flinched.

"A-are you okay? Still really tired?"

"... I just couldn't sleep, that's all. I'm fine."

"O-oh, really?"

Seeing how tired Luca looked, Ottbo scratched his cheek.

"Then you should rest at the dormitory today."

"Didn't you come here with something you had to say?"

"No, it's just... you know, we've never been to Havok together with Milia and Isella."

On the first outing, Luca was not allowed to go out of the school, and from the second, they'd never managed to go to Havok together because of the Theodore faction situation.

"There isn't much to do in Havok, anyway."

"Well, that's because it was just the two of us. If we go with them, it could be different."

"Hmm. So you just want to go on a date with Milia."

At Luca's sharp point, Ottbo looked flustered.

"N-no, that's not it..."

"If you want, I can go with you, but have you told Milia?"

"Not yet. I was thinking of asking if you agreed to come."

Ottbo, lacking courage, was hoping Luca would say it for him.

"I don't mind, but if you keep being so wishy-washy, Milia will never see you as a man."

"Uh, wh-what?!"

While Ottbo floundered, Luca contacted Milia.

― Luca?"Ottbo says he wants to go to Havok."― Oh? Ah, um...

Hearing Luca's blunt statement, Milia hesitated for a moment, then said,

― Sorry, but I have a prior engagement today, so I don't think I can go."Alright. I'll hang up."

"W-wait, that's it?"

Ottbo was startled by Luca's extremely cool attitude. Luca looked at him dispassionately.

"If you want to persuade her, you talk to her yourself."

"Th-that's..."― Wait, is Ottbo there with you?

Hearing their conversation and roughly grasping the situation, Milia replied in a slightly amused voice.

― Let's go next time. I really have something important today. Next time, let's definitely go together."Oh... okay!"

At Milia's words, Ottbo brightened up. After hanging up, Luca spoke in an indifferent tone.

"You'll end up suffering because of women."

"Wh-why's that?"

"Seeing you giddy over Milia's vague answers like that, isn't it obvious? You're in for a hard road."

Whether past or present, Luca might not have room to talk, but Ottbo, who saw him as something of a ladies' man, looked shocked.

"That's... ugh..."

"You don't have to be that disappointed. Just act a little ruder to her next time."

"R-ruder?!"

Trying to comfort the shocked Ottbo, Luca just said whatever, but Ottbo took it really seriously.

"How exactly?"

"How what exactly?"

"Well... just being rude makes me too rude a person. What should I do to be rude in the right way?"

Ottbo seemed about ready to take out a notebook and jot things down.

But Luca had just spoken without thinking, so he didn't really have anything to add. Yet, seeing Ottbo's sparkling eyes, he couldn't just dismiss him.

"... Women are naturally drawn to bad boys. More precisely, to men who can lead them. Society calls men who insist on leading women with their own stubbornness 'bad boys', but you could also say they're just assertive."

"Oooh!"

"So, just ignore whatever she says and take things in the direction you want. That's what I meant by being 'rude'."

Another bit of dating advice learned from the internet. Luca wasn't sure this was right, but Ottbo was simply amazed.

"Got it! I'll remember that!"

"... Ahem. One more thing. You need confidence."

"Confidence... But how do I build confidence?"

He knew he was lacking confidence, but you can't just gain it because you want to. That's when the inner Luca Traverse spoke up.

"You build it through training."

"Tra...ining...?"

"Right. A strong body houses a strong mind. If you make your body healthy, confidence will follow naturally."

It was the mentality of a warrior; even Ottbo seemed doubtful at this point and drew back.

"I'm not so sure about that..."

"Don't start spouting nonsense about magic loss."

"No, magic loss is a real theory! The legendary mage Attelino Federco came up with it..."

Ottbo, flustered, started to ramble. But Luca Traverse was adamant.

"This isn't about confidence. No woman dislikes a trained body. You want to appear attractive to the opposite sex, but you don't put in any effort, do you?"

"!"

"If you want something, you have to work for it. You know that much."

The 'put in the effort' philosophy, naturally arising between two people who both once strived to surpass their older brothers.

"I... I make an effort, too! I read Party People Monthly and Fashion Walk every month!"

"Easy to say, with those skinny arms. You think girls found it attractive when you couldn't even do ten push-ups in Professor Mantas's class?"

"T-that's... I'm a mage..."

"Then you must show a cool side in magic class, right?"

"?!"

Once again, Luca's sharp retort hit home. Ottbo fell silent, with no rebuttal.

"This is perfect. I wasn't keen on going to Havok because I'm so tired anyway. Let's just train together."

"... You don't want to go to Havok because you're tired... but you want to train?"

Ottbo stared blankly for a moment before repeating the question. He just didn't get it.

"I get more tired from people at Havok, but training refreshes body and mind."

"I don't think it's going to be refreshing at all."

Ottbo looked completely unconvinced, but Luca was firm.

"Then forget it. I won't suggest it again. Just live your life that way."

"N-no... wait..."

Ottbo fell quiet for a moment, then spoke with determination.

"Alright! I'll train too!"

"Now you're talking. Bella! Breakfast, please!"

"Yes, Young Master~."

"Ottbo. Eat before you go. You should fill up before training."

"Uh? Uh, okay!"

After eating the meal Bella prepared, the two borrowed the training ground for the weekend and started working out.

About thirty minutes in, Ottbo reportedly threw up everything he'd eaten for breakfast.

* * *

"I can't even tell if Luca is mature or childish anymore."

After hanging up, Milia sighed in disbelief.

"Would it not be alright to simply accompany them?"

Isella, who was beside her, said this coolly. Milia glanced at her, then slowly shook her head.

"No. Ottbo's an idiot, and Luca is impossible to predict. I don't want to take along anyone who might get in the way."

"If that is how you feel, miss, I will not object."

Isella nodded immediately, then Milia was silent for a moment before she smiled wryly.

"And they're the ones who risked their lives for me. This much, at least, I should do myself."

"... Yes."

The two of them were standing in front of the research building where the professors of the Department of Magic lived.

"The imperial family mostly supports the 1st Prince, and the mages mostly support the 3rd Prince. I have to do everything I can to gather whatever support I might have."

The 3rd Prince would not immediately go after Luca and Ottbo, but that didn't mean she could afford to sit still either. While outwardly declaring neutrality, she had to gather as much support from any influential factions as possible.

"I have to use every card I've got."

Milia gripped the Dimension Core around her neck, muttered this, and entered the research building.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=I ship Ottbo and Milia...【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】

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